Chapter 16 – A Difficult Farewell
Scrooge wakes up from a semi-good sleep. After Dewey made the tea, the two of them talked about a plan. So far, they decided to sneak into Duckburg, find the remaining family, and from there choose the best course of action to attack Magica and the Beagles.
Dewey claims that he can use the mask to sneak past the Shadow Demons and the Beagle Boys, but they both agree that they need more people to join the fight to win. How will they convince other residences to join the battle? They don't know just yet.
After getting dressed, Scrooge walks out of the master bedroom and heads down the hall. He notices the kids' door is still mostly closed, which has Scrooge guessing the little ones are still sleeping. Once he makes it to the dining area, Scrooge can see Dewey sound asleep on the couch.
Considering they have huge plans later, Scrooge figures it would be better to let his nephew rest a bit longer. As He turns to sneak back into the master bedroom, the twins open their door and are about to rush into the living area. Scrooge stops them by extending his can out in front of them.
"Come now, wee ones, let us leave your dad to sleep in, shall we?" The elder suggests.
"But we wanna watch cartoons." Turbo whines.
"Yeah, daddy always lets us watch cartoons," Tessa adds.
"I have a better idea. Why don't I tell you a story instead?" Scrooge says with enthusiasm.
The twins look at each other with uncertainty but decide to follow their great-great Uncle's suggestion. With a shrug, they both bob their heads in an interested nod. Scrooge happily ushers the ducklings back into their room.
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Forty-five minutes later, Scrooge has the twins captivated with one of his legendary adventure tales. The little ducklings are wide-eyed with anticipation of what their Uncle is telling them.
"What happened next," Turbo asks.
"Yeah," Tessa adds, clenching onto her unicorn plush toy.
Demonstrating the scenario by using his cane as a sword, Scrooge carries on with his story.
"There we were, your great Uncle Donald, your Nana, and I were cornered by Captain Peghook and his crew of roughens. I swung ma sword, and the ghostly fiend tried to over-power me with each of his attacks."
"Whoa," the twins gasp.
The door opens, and the two ducklings turn to see their dad walk inside.
"Morning, daddy," both little ones sing in unison.
"Morning," Dewey replies with a slight yawn.
"Uncle Scrooge is telling us a story," Turbo explains.
"I can see that," the young father acknowledges. "A tale of one of Uncle Scrooge's greatest adventures. Wow, what a treat."
Dewey plops himself on the bed with his kids and makes himself comfortable.
"So, how did you defeat the Captain and his crew?" Dewey asks, looking semi-tired up at his Uncle.
Scrooge smiles at his nephew and realizes that he never heard this story in its entirety before.
"Well, as I was about to say," the billionaire elder continues. "Just when things started to look dark for us, we came across a magical thick cloth and the Deus Excalibur sword. With these two items, we were able to use the sword as a distraction. We then lured the pirate ghost into a trap. With the cloth, we were able to pull him inside a treasure chest and lock it so he would not escape. After we defeated the captain, the rest of the crew just ran away, being the cowards they were."
"Oooh," the twins chime.
"I've always wondered how that ghost ended up in treasure chest," Dewey hummed.
"Aye, that is until you boys and Webby unleashed it years later in my garage." Scrooge jokingly says, poking Dewey's leg with his cane.
"Ow," the younger duck murmured with a slight chuckle.
Dewey sits up to rub the sore spot on his leg and looks up at his adventurer Uncle. "Also, keep in mind, I was younger and a completely different duck back then." He points out.
"You got to go on adventures too, dad?" Turbo asks excitably.
"Can you take us on one, please, daddy?" Tessa begs.
With a chuckle, Dewey reaches his arms around the ducklings. "One day, when you are older," he tells them. Dewey, then, stands up with another yawn and a stretch. "Well, guess I should go make breakfast." He announces.
"Sounds good, lad." Scrooge nods in agreement.
"Tell us another story, Uncle Scrooge." Turbo insists.
"Yeah!" Tessa chirps.
"Well, have you heard of the time I traveled to the Klondike in search of gold?" Scrooge asks the twins.
The two young ducklings shake their heads from left to right, indicating they never heard the story before. They leaned forward with eyes wide with excitement as their great-great adventurous Uncle begins telling another story.
"It was during my younger years, and I was hungry for gold. I heard of a place where I could find great wealth quickly, but it required a bit of hard work too. That is the place known as the Klondike…."
Dewey walks to the door and glances over his shoulder with a slight grin. However, that grin turns into a frown before slipping out into the hallway.
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Later, they drive down to StarDuck's Delivery. Once the vehicle parks and everyone begins to hop out of the SUV's cabin, the twins instantly run inside the hanger. Dewey, sensing where they are running towards, rushes in after them.
Scrooge spots the race inside the building and immediately follows them.
As predicted, the twins are heading straight for the plane floating in the center of the building. Dewey frantically starts yelling at the duo.
"Hey, get away from the plane! I mean it! Don't make me put life-jackets on you two." The young dad threatens.
Scrooge couldn't help but chuckle. He can tell that Dewey is trying hard not to raise his kids like Donald raised him and his brothers. Yet, the protective instincts are so strong in the McDuck family, and Dewey is no exception. Scrooge even admits that he started to be a little more protective of Webby when he found out that she is his daughter.
Turbo and Tessa reluctantly do as their told. They slink back to where their dad is standing and glance up at him with sheepish eyes.
Meg and the crew walk out of the office when they hear their boss yelling.
"Dewey, you're here," Jitterbug acknowledges.
"Are ye here to inspect the work we've done to the plane?" Meg asks, hobbling up to the ducks with a clipboard in her hand.
"Yeah, that's part of the reason," Dewey says in a nod. "Is the panel fixed?"
"Yup, we just finished the repair this morning. Not only that, but we've filled her up and were about to give her a good cleaning." Stinky Boots explains.
"Thank you, but cleaning it isn't necessary. Uncle Scrooge and I are going to head back to Duckburg now." Dewey informs his crew.
"You're actually going to do it? You're going to confront the witch and beat her?" Meg asks in disbelief, but also with a hint of hopefulness.
"Yes, it's time," Dewey affirms her. "Which, I must ask if you wouldn't mind looking after these two while I'm gone." He asks sheepishly, pointing to his kids.
"That'd be no problem. You know how much I adore the little ones." Meg says willingly.
The moment the twins realize that Dewey and Scrooge are preparing to leave, the two ducklings start crying.
"No, you can't leave!" Tessa pleads.
"At least not without us! Take us with you." Turbo insists.
"Please," the two of them sing in unison.
Dewey's fear comes to fruition. After hearing Uncle Scrooge's tales, he knew they would want to start going on adventures.
"I'm afraid you can't come." Dewey reluctantly tells them.
"But daad!" The twins beg.
Dewey can relate to his kids' reactions. Thinking back, he was no different. However, as a father, Dewey is determined to keep them safe. With a heavy heart, he kneels to their level.
"Listen, where we're going, it's just too dangerous." The young father explains. "I want you to be safe, so when you are old enough, I'll be able to take on adventures too, I promise."
The twins pout. What if their dad breaks his promise again? Much like the time, he said he would be back to take them to the Ice Capades.
Scrooge feels guilty, mostly because he agrees with what Dewey is saying to his kids. How he wishes they could come along. It would be like old times, bringing his kin on wild and crazy excursions. Sadly this isn't an adventure but a rescue operation. Defiantly, not a situation to bring along a pair of four-year-olds.
"Guys, I know you want so much to come with us. Adventuring is in your blood. It's a family tradition." Dewey assures his kids.
Scrooge's ears perk hearing his nephew quoting a line he once said to Dewey and his brothers.
"However, you're still too young. If anything were to happen to you guys, I would never forgive myself. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You two are the greatest treasures of my life. Nothing will ever change that." Their father explains passionately. He once again strokes both of their cheeks as they stare up with doe eyes.
Though Dewey is trying to be brave, he still has difficulty convincing himself that nothing will be different if they succeed on this mission. Before the twins could see the helplessness he feels, Dewey pulls the twins in for a hug.
"I love you two so much." He says, almost losing his courage to let go.
It's like the twins sense their dad's sadness and want to show their affections by returning the hug. They snuggle their cheeks up to Dewey's chest as if they don't want this moment to end.
"We love you too, dad," Turbo responds on behave of his sister.
With a deep sigh, Dewey eventually pulls away. He bravely looks at his kids one last time and takes a mental photo of their faces.
"Mind Meg and the others, okay," Dewey instructs the twins. "I should be back before your know it."
The young father hopes he isn't lying as he says this.
The pirate crew is baffled by Dewey's 'goodbye' to his kids. Usually, it isn't as emotional. They glance at each other in puzzlement but chooses not to say anything.
Dewey, followed by Scrooge, enters the plane. The moment Dewey sits down in the pilot's seat, he breaks into a sob – covering his eyes with one hand.
Scrooge feels the weight of responsibility for Dewey's breakdown. He goes to sit down in the co-pilot's chair and attempts to reach over to touch his nephew's shoulder. "Dewey," He starts.
"Don't," Dewey cuts him off. "We've been through this last night. It's more important to get you back to your time, no matter the cost. No matter if I don't get to see my kids ever again."
The younger duck wipes the tears from his eyes and proceeds to turn on the plane's engine.
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Scrooge and Dewey, for the most part, are quiet during the flight. Dewey just finished putting on his 'L'Orange' jacket but chooses not to wear the hat on this mission. He leans the sword beside the pilot's chair and sits back down. Turning off the autopilot, Dewey regains control of the steering wheel. He then reclaims the mask hidden in the dash by pressing the codes on the key panel.
Doing this causes the plane to transform back to its pirate motif with black, purple, and blue flames. Scrooge is still astonished at the technology. For one alien mask, it sure can create such an illusion. He glances over to Dewey and, again, worries about his nephew.
Dewey is staring at the mask, right into the red-tinted eyes. It almost looks like they are having a telepathic conversation. Either that or Dewey is in deep thought.
"Whatcha thinking on, lad?" Scrooge asks with caution.
With a heavy sigh, Dewey responds. "Just thinking this could very well be the last time I wear this thing."
Scrooge looks down, still feeling guilty about Dewey's sacrifice. He suddenly looks up with determination in his eyes.
"Listen," Scrooge says, turning to his nephew. "I cannae tell you enough of how proud you've made me. I also understand that this isn't an easy decision for you either. It's tough to let go of everything you've worked hard for, I should know; this is why I must do something I thought I would never do."
Dewey watches in confusion as his Uncle reaches up behind his neck and pulls the #No. 1 Dime out, over his head. In utter shock, Scrooge holds the Dime over to Dewey.
"I'm giving this back to you," Scrooge announces.
"Uncle Scrooge…?" Dewey is at a loss for words.
"Look here," the elder insists. "Regardless, this Dime belongs in this timeline. I intend on retrieving my Dime back from Magica, herself when I return."
"I don't know what to say," again, Dewey is finding it hard to form the words on how he's feeling right now.
"My boy, this Dime belongs to you now. You've earned it, so look after it, okay." Scrooge says with desperation in his eyes.
"Okay," reluctantly, Dewey accepts the coin back.
Once the necklace slips out of his fingers, Scrooge can feel his heartbreak a little. However, he knows this is the right thing to do.
Dewey puts the necklace on before reaching for the mask. After he puts the mask on over his beak, Dewey then turns to his Uncle Scrooge. "Let's do this," he says.